104 STAT. 5238 PROCLAMATION 6114—APR. 6, 1990 illness or by injuries inflicted upon them. All of them endured the immeasurable pain of separation from loved ones. Nevertheless, our prisoners of war held firm in their belief in the promise of America and the freedom and justice to which this Nation is dedicated. They struggled to stay alive and to return home, and, by the grace of God, many of them did. Today, we honor our former prisoners of war and give thanks for the peace and liberty they so valiantly defended. Each of them has shown us that faith and courage are freedom's invincible shield and sword. We must never forget the sacrifices they made for us, nor must we allow our children to forget the lasting debt we owe to each of them. Therefore, we should also renew our commitment to securing the release of any U.S. serviceman who may still be held against his will. As a measure of our admiration and gratitude for all former prisoners of war, the Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 190, has designated April 9, 1990, as "National Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day" and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this occasion. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim April 9, 1990, as National Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day. I call upon government officials, private organizations, and individual Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities to honor former prisoners of war and to renew our Nation's appreciation for the rights and freedom they defended. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fourteenth. GEORGE BUSH Proclamation 6114 of April 6, 1990 Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 1990 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation This is a momentous time in the history of the Americas, and it is a promising time in inter-American relations. Throughout the Western Hemisphere, the ideals of freedom and representative democracy have triumphed, while tyranny has been in full retreat. Democracy, the exception just one decade ago, is today the rule. A majority of the nations in this hemisphere have freely elected governments, and prospects for democracy, peace, and economic development throughout the Americas appear bright. Much of this progress has been made possible by the work of the Organization of American States and its predecessors, the Pan American Union and the International Union of American Republics, formed in 1890. Each year, Pan American Day and Pan American Week provide
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